Content creator Farah Shams has opened up about her struggle with nitrous oxide, commonly known as balloons, sharing an emotional message with followers in the hope that others, particularly young people, will avoid making the same mistakes before revealing she had developed an addiction to the drug.

The influencer admitted she had developed a drug problem after abusing nitrous oxide over the past year, explaining that she had decided to speak publicly because she wanted to raise awareness of the dangers surrounding the substance and encourage others to seek help before their addiction spirals.

Fighting back emotion at the beginning of the video, Shams said:‍

"I'm here to talk about something very serious. I don't want to get emotional. But yeah, I have a drug problem."

She went on to explain that she had been using nitrous oxide for around a year and wanted to use her own experience to warn younger followers, many of whom look up to online personalities. Reflecting on the impact drugs can have, she said:

"It's not worth it. Take it from me. Honestly, take it from me. It's not worth it. Don't do drugs, kids, please."

Shams explained that one of the main reasons she wanted to make the video was because she has built a large following online and feels a responsibility to be honest about the consequences of her actions. She said she believes drug use, particularly nitrous oxide, has become increasingly normalised among young people and worries many are following trends without fully understanding the long term damage they can cause.

The content creator also revealed she has already begun the process of quitting and wanted to make her recovery public so followers could hold her accountable.

"I'm currently on my journey of quitting. So that's also why I decided to make this video because I want you guys to hold me responsible and to check up on me and to make sure that I'm not doing nitrous oxide."

She acknowledged that addiction can affect anyone and made clear she was not trying to judge others who use drugs. Instead, she described her own experience as proof that substance misuse can escalate before people realise how serious it has become.

During the video, Shams also spoke about how cannabis can become a gateway to experimenting with stronger substances, saying that once people become accustomed to one high, some begin searching for another. While she recognised that life can be difficult and stressful, she encouraged viewers to find healthier ways of coping rather than turning to drugs.

Addressing younger viewers directly, she pleaded:

"Please do not do drugs. Do not do them."

She continued by warning that stronger substances often make existing struggles even worse, adding:

"They will deteriorate your body, your mind, your health. They'll make you more depressed than what you think. It's a temporary fix and it's not bloody worth it."

Shams also invited anyone dealing with addiction to share their experiences in the comments, saying she wanted to use her platform to help others rather than simply entertain them. Although she admitted exposing such a personal chapter of her life was embarrassing, she said documenting her recovery felt like the right thing to do.

She also addressed criticism surrounding a previous video involving nitrous oxide and driving, making clear that while she has admitted to abusing the drug, she would never drive while under its influence because of the danger it poses to both herself and others.

Towards the end of the video, Shams reflected on just how normalised nitrous oxide has become, saying it is now common to see discarded canisters littering streets and public spaces. She questioned why society had become so accepting of this, arguing that people would react very differently if they regularly came across other forms of drug paraphernalia.

"Like, is that actually normal if you find a crack pipe on the floor? Because in my opinion, nitrous oxide is not a party drug. It's not fun. No, it's one of the worst drugs to exist and they should be classed like crack and heroin."

Shams has built a significant following across TikTok and other social media platforms through her humorous videos, relatable personality and lifestyle content. She is known for her comedic sketches, reactions and light hearted posts, often interacting closely with her audience. Earlier this year, she also appeared on the second series of the Sidemen's reality competition, Inside, where influencers and online personalities competed in a series of challenges while living together under one roof for the chance to win a cash prize. Her appearance introduced her to an even wider audience, with many viewers praising her humour, honesty and entertaining personality throughout the series.

That reputation for comedy made her latest upload particularly striking, with many viewers noting that it was one of the most serious videos she has ever shared.

The video prompted an outpouring of support online, with many praising her for speaking so openly about addiction instead of hiding it. One person wrote:

"I've seen videos of her normally joking and proper vibes. Glad she's being serious about something that's a huge problem with young people. Even worse when you park up somewhere and see youths doing it behind the wheel. It's mad common."

Another commented:

"I mean pick your poison. Her nitrous oxide is some people's Wray and Nephews. Most people dont start taking things with the intent to become addicted, its a lack of will power. I wonder how many people in the comments don't have issues? I hate balloons and question people who use them."

A third added:

"Nah how brave of her though. If it changes the mindset of even one person then job done. We need to do better as a collective."

Others said they could understand why so many parents are concerned about the widespread use of nitrous oxide among teenagers, with many agreeing that the drug has become heavily normalised despite the significant health risks associated with repeated use.

Often referred to as "laughing gas", nitrous oxide is a colourless gas with legitimate medical and industrial uses. In healthcare, it has been used safely for decades as an anaesthetic and pain relief during procedures such as childbirth and dental treatment. It is also commonly found in the catering industry, where it is used in whipped cream dispensers.

However, the gas has increasingly been misused recreationally. Users typically transfer the gas from metal canisters into balloons before inhaling it to experience a short lived feeling of euphoria, relaxation or dizziness. Although the effects usually last only a few minutes, repeated use can have serious and sometimes permanent consequences. Health experts warn that excessive nitrous oxide use can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, nerve damage, spinal cord injury, loss of sensation in the hands and feet, difficulty walking and, in severe cases, paralysis. Psychological dependence can also develop, with some users consuming dozens or even hundreds of canisters in a single session.

Growing concern over both the health risks and the huge number of discarded canisters littering streets led the UK Government to tighten legislation in November 2023. Nitrous oxide was reclassified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, making possession for the purpose of recreational inhalation a criminal offence. Those caught illegally possessing the substance can face up to two years in prison, while supplying it for recreational use can carry a maximum sentence of 14 years. Despite the tougher legislation, the drug remains one of the most commonly used recreational substances among young adults, although recent figures suggest usage has begun to decline following the law change.

Shams' decision to publicly acknowledge her addiction has reignited conversations around the normalisation of nitrous oxide and the responsibility influencers have when discussing drug use online. While her confession was deeply personal, her message remained consistent throughout, encouraging young people to avoid drugs altogether, reminding those battling addiction that recovery is possible, and hoping her own experience might stop someone else from making the same mistakes.